EP1647198B1 - Device for applying a haircare product - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for applying a product to the hair, in particular a hair coloring product.

Numerous devices are known comprising a container and an application portion provided with teeth, at the base of which open outlets for dispensing on the hair the product contained in the container. We know in particular of the document FR-A-2,782,614 an example device for applying a product comprising a reservoir and a dispensing head provided with two peripheral rows of extreme teeth, with between them an intermediate row of lower teeth.

Of the document FR-A-2,828,999 , a similar device is known for which the end teeth are arranged to be arranged in a closed curve surrounding the intermediate row of lower teeth. According to these examples, the spacing provided between the teeth of the intermediate row is the same as the spacing provided between the end teeth.

Document is also known US 5758984 a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product comprising an applicator head covered with bristles in the middle of which are disposed teeth through which a product contained in the device is dispensed. This device is a problem because the dispensed product is not retained at the periphery of the applicator head and may flow in undesired directions during application.

The document US 3,128,487 A discloses a composite structure hairbrush comprising a handle extended by a fixing portion adapted to receive an inner support carrying first brushing / combing elements and an outer support carrying second brushing / combing elements and having passage orifices for them. first brushing / combing elements.

The document US 2003/041869 A1 discloses a device for applying a hair product having a support on one side of which protruding application elements arranged so that a first group of application elements of a first row is stackable, along a longitudinal axis of the support, with a second group of application elements of a second row, said application elements of the first and second groups extending parallel to the same direction. The document EP-A-0890326 discloses a brush for coloring the hair with a coloring product, the salient elements of the brush being impregnated with said product or able to diffuse it.

It is also known from the document US-6,145,513 a dispensing head for the application of a coloring product on the hair, and intended to be mounted on a container containing said coloring product to be applied. The dispensing head comprises a support provided with a flat face from which protrude teeth of different sections and different heights. This support comprises a first row of consecutive and identical teeth arranged along a longitudinal peripheral edge of the support. In parallel, the support comprises a second row of consecutive and identical teeth, the teeth of the second row being of section and height lower than those of the teeth of the first row. Nevertheless, the respective spacings between the teeth of the first and second rows are identical.

Furthermore, according to this document, there is also provided an arrangement of fine teeth and very close to each other at a longitudinal end of the support. This arrangement is arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal peripheral edges of the support, and therefore oriented perpendicularly to the first and second rows. These fine teeth are intended to allow a finer application of the coloring product, for example when it is applied to hair strands often thin and very short protruding from the temples.

The user, when it comes to treating any lock of hair by means of such an applicator head, moves said applicator head in a movement perpendicular to one of the longitudinal peripheral edges, so as to allow the engagement the wick between the teeth of the first and second rows. This wick should not be inserted into the fine teeth, as this may interfere with proper brushing and coating of the product on the wick.

On the other hand, when the user wishes to apply the product at the temples, the user must rotate the applicator head by 90 ° so as to be able to engage the lock of hair projecting from the temples in the only rows of fine teeth.

Such an applicator head is provided to use the rows of parallel teeth at the longitudinal peripheral edges regardless of the arrangement of fine teeth.

However, the problem generally encountered when applying a hair coloring product is the nature of the product to be applied. Indeed, the latter generally results from mixing a liquid product and a powder. This mixture generally comprises lumps of powder not mixed with the rest of the liquid. Such lumps can also be formed when mixing two high viscosity liquids, the lumps then being constituted by the most viscous liquid. In any case, it is difficult to overcome these lumps using utensils generally available in a bathroom or a hair salon.

The use of an applicator head as taught by the document US 6145513 leads to deposit such lumps on the wicks when the user uses the first and second rows of teeth parallel to the longitudinal peripheral edges. The arrangement of fine teeth does not allow loading with a sufficient amount of product to treat a whole wick, the latter can not be used for coating long and thick wicks.

Moreover, such lumps being deposited on the hair, they therefore affect the local treatment of the hair which is then locally less or not at all colored. In addition, the lumps may become detached from the wick by gravity and then contaminate another lock of hair that was not originally intended to color in a sweep in locks of the hair. The quality and precision of the effect of the wicks made are affected.

The object of the invention is to satisfy at least one of the above-mentioned needs by proposing a device for applying a hair product comprising a support on one side of which protruding application elements arranged in such a manner whereby a first group of application elements of a first row is superposable, along a longitudinal axis of the support, with a second group of application elements of a second row, said elements of application of the first and second groups extending parallel to the same direction, the application elements of the second group being of greater average flexibility than the average flexibility of the application elements of the first group, and the average of the spacings between elements consecutive application of the second group being less than the average of the spacings between consecutive application elements of the first group, characterized in that the application elements of the second group are of an average height greater than an average height of the application elements of the first group .

When such a device is used to apply the product on a wick, the application elements of the second group being higher than those of the first group, they engage first with the hair of the wick, regardless of the longitudinal edge driving the device relative to the wick. Then, the application elements of the first group engage to ensure in particular a brushing of the wick. The product being preferably retained at the level of the elements of the first group, as soon as the wick is engaged, it is brought into contact with the product. The application elements of the second group deform, during a relative movement of the device along the wick, for example in translation along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support, to form a pallet that presses on the hair already engaged in the elements of the first group. Thus the application of the product near the roots of the wick is improved, and moreover, the lumps are crushed between these elements of the second group and the hair taken in the elements of the first group, the product applied is then more homogeneous and more effective.

The length and flexibility of the elements of the second group together allow this active cooperation with the wick to crush the lumps

The device according to the invention makes it possible in particular to break in small pieces the lumps contained in the mixture to be applied to the hair, which makes the coloring result more homogeneous and / or the treatment in more precise locks. Moreover, this device can improve the homogeneous impregnation of the product in the hair.

The flexibility of an application element is for example evaluated by exerting a given force at the free end of the application element, while remaining within the limit of elastic deformation of the application elements. This force is exerted perpendicularly to an axis of elongation main element of said application element, and the angle formed between this free end and a basal portion of the applicator element, at a point of attachment of this element relative to the support, is measured. For the same force exerted, the larger the angle, and the more flexible the application element.

Preferably, the force is exerted on an applicator element in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support, so as to simulate the deformation of this element when the device according to the invention is engaged with a lock of hair, and moved along this wick, and or so as to simulate the deformation of the application elements when they are brought into contact with the user's skull, which then makes it possible to evaluate the comfort with the use of a such device.

In particular, the application elements of the second group are able to form an angle greater than the angle formed by the elements of the first group, for the exercise of the same force. In particular, the application elements of the first group are able to form an angle at least half of the angle formed by the application elements of the second group. For example, the application elements of the first group form an angle of the order of 30 ° when the application elements of the second group already form an angle of the order of 90 °, while the same force is respectively applied.

The spacing between two successive application elements of the same group is considered at their basal portion. In particular, the spacing is measured between the respective centroids of two consecutive application elements.

Advantageously, the application elements of the second group can frame at least partly the first group of application elements, the latter being arranged along at least one longitudinal edge of the first group, and preferably along each opposite longitudinal borders of this first group. For example, the area delimited between elements of the second group may delimit the surface from which all the elements of the first group project. Preferably, all the elements of the second group are around those of the first group.

For example, the device may comprise a third row of consecutive application elements such as those of the second group, the application elements of the first group then being arranged between the second and third row, the second row and the third row. bordering respectively longitudinally at least partly these application elements of the first group, these rows being respectively superimposable at least partly along the longitudinal axis of the support. When such a device is used to apply the product on a wick, the application elements of the second group being arranged on either side of those of the first group, they engage first with the hair of the wick, which that is the longitudinal edge of the device relative to the wick.

Advantageously, at least one application element of the second row is disposed near a peripheral edge of the face of the support. And more particularly the second row formed with elements of the second group may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support. Preferably, the second row is erected at the periphery of the face of the support, along a longitudinal peripheral edge of this support. Preferably, if necessary, the third row of application elements of the second group is also erected at the periphery of the face of the support, along a second longitudinal peripheral edge of this support.

For example, if necessary, this third row may be parallel to at least one of the first or second row. In particular, the application elements of the third row are of constant height.

Advantageously, at least one application element of the second group may have a height greater than the height of the application elements of the first group, for example greater than at least 4 mm higher than that of the application elements of the first group. In particular, the average height of the elements the second group may be at least 4 mm higher than the average height of the elements in the first group.

The height of an applicator element is measured along an axis erected perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the support, and if necessary erected substantially perpendicular to the face of the support on which the applicator elements protrude.

In particular, to improve product retention between the elements of the first group, while ensuring effective brushing, the application elements of the first group may have at least two, and preferably three, different heights.

Advantageously, the application elements of the or, if appropriate, the row (s) of application elements of the second group are of constant height.

Considering the sections of the application elements respectively at their basal portion, the application elements of the first group are of greater section than the application elements of the second group. These sections are not necessarily homothetic to each other. In particular at least one application element of the second group is of triangular section, while at least one application element of the first group is of ovoid section, and preferably circular.

To further improve the brushing of the hair of a wick engaged in such a device, the first group preferably comprises application elements of at least two different sections.

To give greater flexibility to the application elements of the second group, they are preferably tapered than the application elements of the first group.

Insofar as the application elements of the second group are intended to be engaged first with the lock of hair, the surface defined by the free ends of the application elements of the first and second group has at least one concavity.

For example, an application element of the second group may have a free end of flat section, while the free end of an application element of the first group is preferably rounded.

To provide a soft contact between the scalp and the free ends of the application elements, the application elements of the second group are preferably deformable even when a weak force oriented along the longitudinal axis of the application element is applied at its free end, while for the exercise of this same weak force at the free end of an application element of the first group, it does not deform. This weak force is for example of the order of a "bearable" force exerted at a point on the surface of the skull.

In particular, the application elements may be teeth formed in one piece with the support from which they protrude, or be formed by bristles attached to this support. Preferably, the application elements of the first and second group are made in one piece at least with a portion of the support.

Advantageously, the device according to the invention is obtained by molding a thermoplastic material, in particular a polypropylene or a polyethylene, and then more particularly from a low density polyethylene having a hardness of between 40 and 80 Shore D.

Preferably, the application elements are erected on the same flat surface of the support. The application elements of the first and second groups extend parallel to the same direction, this direction may be perpendicular to the face of the support.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the device comprises a handle whose first end is integral with said support bearing the application elements. For example, this handle has a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support. Preferably, the handle is bent so as to have a gripping portion extending in a plane distinct from that of the face of the support. Thus the gripping of the device prevents the user to place his fingers in the same plane as the support, that is to say the same plane as that of the lock of hair that has just been coated.

In particular, the handle comprises at a second end opposite the first end, a third group of application elements. These application elements may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle, or at an angle relative to this axis. Moreover, the elements of this third group may be different from each other. Preferably, this second end carries fewer application elements than the support, insofar as they are intended to be used preferably for finishing the application of the hair product, particularly at the temples.

According to a second embodiment, the support is mounted on a container containing a capillary product and provided with at least one dispensing orifice to ensure fluid communication between said container and the face of the support, the dispensing orifice opening in particular in the middle of the application elements of the first group.

According to this second embodiment, the support is rotatably or removably mounted relative to the container so as to be fixed on the container in at least two different positions, the container and the support being arranged so that in a first position said at least one dispensing orifice does not communicate with the product contained in the container. Thus the user can homogenize the mixture in the container by shaking without risk of leakage through the aforementioned orifice. Furthermore, the container and the support are arranged such that in a second position, said at least one dispensing orifice communicates with the product contained in the container, which allows the product to be applied to the hair.

• un récipient pour le conditionnement dudit produit ; et
• un dispositif selon l'invention.

Finally, the subject of the invention is also a kit for applying a hair product, in particular a coloring product, comprising:

• a container for packaging said product; and
• a device according to the invention.

• Figure 1 : une vue en perspective d'un dispositif selon l'invention selon un premier mode de réalisation ;
• Figure 2 : une vue de dessus du dispositif de la Figure 1 ;
• Figure 3a : une vue agrandie de la zone Z de la Figure 2 ;
• Figure 3b : une vue en coupe transversale selon le plan de coupe D-D indiqué sur la Figure 2 ;
• Figure 4 : une vue en coupe transversale selon le plan de coupe E-E indiqué sur la Figure 2
• Figure 5 : une vue de profil du dispositif de la Figure 1 selon une direction perpendiculaire à un axe longitudinal de ce dispositif ;
• Figures 6a, 6b et 6c : des vues en coupe longitudinale selon les plans de coupe respectivement indiqués A-A, B-B et C-C sur la Figure 2 ;
• Figure 7 : une vue éclatée d'un dispositif selon un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un dispositif selon l'invention ;
• Figure 8 : une vue en coupe longitudinale partielle du dispositif assemblé de la Figure 7 en position ouverte ;
• Figure 9 : une vue de dessus d'un support monté sur le dispositif de la Figure 7 ;
• Figure 10 : une vue en coupe longitudinale du support de la Figure 9, la coupe étant réalisée le long d'une première rangée d'éléments d'application d'un premier groupe de ce support ;
• Figures 11 à 13 : des vues de profil de variantes de réalisation d'un dispositif selon l'invention muni d'un troisième groupe d'éléments d'application, vues selon une direction perpendiculaire à un axe longitudinal du dispositif.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and on examining the figures which accompany it. These are presented only as an indication and in no way limitative of the invention. The figures show:

• Figure 1 : a perspective view of a device according to the invention according to a first embodiment;
• Figure 2 : a top view of the device of the Figure 1 ;
• Figure 3a : an enlarged view of the Z zone of the Figure 2 ;
• Figure 3b : a cross-sectional view along the section plane DD indicated on the Figure 2 ;
• Figure 4 : a cross-sectional view along the section plane EE indicated on the Figure 2
• Figure 5 : a profile view of the device of the Figure 1 in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of this device;
• Figures 6a, 6b and 6c : views in longitudinal section along the respective sectional planes indicated AA, BB and CC on the Figure 2 ;
• Figure 7 an exploded view of a device according to a second embodiment of a device according to the invention;
• Figure 8 : a partial longitudinal sectional view of the assembled device of the Figure 7 in open position;
• Figure 9 : a top view of a support mounted on the device of the Figure 7 ;
• Figure 10 : a longitudinal sectional view of the support of the Figure 9 , the section being made along a first row of application elements of a first group of this support;
• Figures 11 to 13 : side views of alternative embodiments of a device according to the invention provided with a third group of application elements, viewed in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device.

We have shown on the figure 1 a device 1 for applying a product of capillary coloration on the hair, according to a first example of implementation of the invention. This device comprises a support 2 having a substantially flat face 3 on which are erected application elements. Application elements are hairs that do not diffuse product. These bristles do not have an opening opening adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a product reservoir so as to allow a flow of product through these application elements.

In particular, this support 2 extends along a longitudinal axis X so that the longitudinal peripheral edges 4 and 5 of the face 3, respectively, are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the support 2. above, the face 3 has a rectangle section. At a first axial end, an edge 6 corresponding to one of the smaller sides of this face 3 is for example slightly arched, so as to provide a rounded end to the support 2.

At a second axial end, opposite to the first axial end, the second shortest edge 7 of the face 3 is connected to a first end 11 of a handle 8. This handle 8 comprises at least one gripping portion 9 extending along a longitudinal axis Y oriented preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the support 2. The handle 8 has a second end 12 opposite along the longitudinal axis Y at the first end 11. The gripping portion 9 is connected to the face 3 by an intermediate portion 10 of the handle 8, this intermediate portion 10 being elongate in a secant direction to the longitudinal axes respectively X and Y above.

In particular, the gripping portion 9 and the intermediate portion 10 of the handle 8 are provided with lateral ribs parallel to the longitudinal axis Y so as to stiffen the structure of the handle 8. The device according to the invention is designed so that the edges longitudinal peripherals 4 and 5 are perpendicular to a recommended direction of movement of the support 2 relative to a lock of hair.

Among the application elements, one can distinguish two groups of application elements respectively 13 and 14. A first group 13 of application elements is disposed at a distance from the longitudinal peripheral edges 4 and 5 of the face 3, then that application elements of the second group 14 are interposed between at least one of, and preferably both, longitudinal peripheral edges 4 and 5 and the application elements of this first group 13. The elements of the second group 14 are arranged along at least a portion of a periphery delimiting all the elements of the first group 13. These elements of the second group 14 are arranged outside this periphery.

In particular, as is visible from Figures 1 and 2 the application elements of the first group 13 are arranged in a first row 25, and the application elements of the second group 14 are arranged such that these elements are arranged in one and preferably two rows respectively a second row 15 and a third row 16.

The second and third rows 15 and 16 each comprise at least three, and preferably twenty-eight, consecutive application elements, in particular identical to each other and or regularly spaced apart from each other. These two rows 15 and 16 are preferably parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the support 2. The rows 15 and 16 then extend at a distance of a few millimeters parallel to the longitudinal peripheral edges 4 and 5, so that that the application elements of the first group 13, and preferably all those of the first group 13, are arranged between these two rows 15 and 16.

As shown Figure 2 , and more particularly visible on Figures 3a and 3b an application element 17 of the second group 14 is of truncated pyramidal shape of triangular section. Indeed, it comprises a basal portion 18 of triangular section, in particular forming an isosceles triangle whose base 19 is about 1.3 mm and the height is respectively about 1.4 mm. The base 19 is for example parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the support.

The application element 17 is also tapered. A free end 20 of this applicator element 17 is flat, preferably also of triangular section, but of dimensions much smaller than those of the section of the basal portion 18. The applicator element 17 has a height 21 defined between the basal portion 18, at a plane of attachment of this application element 17 to the plane formed by the face 3 of the support 2, and its free end 20 of the order of 9.5 mm. Preferably all the application elements of the second group 14 have a substantially constant height.

Figure 3b , the application element 17 being erected substantially perpendicular to the face 3 of the support 2, this height 21 is measured relative to an axis W perpendicular to the face 3 of the support. Nevertheless, a straight line passing through the respective centroids of the sections at the level of the basal portion and at the free end is not necessarily parallel to this axis W. Indeed, an angle 22 formed between a plane 23, connecting the bases respective isosceles triangles of the basal portion 18 and the free end 20 respectively, and the axis W perpendicular to the face 3 is significantly smaller than the angle formed by the other planes of this application element 17 with this same In particular, it is of the order of 2 °.

As shown Figure 2 each applicator element such as 17 of the second group 14 is arranged in such a way that a direction defined from the base such as 19 of each section, perpendicularly to this base 19, points towards the longitudinal peripheral edge 4 or 5 closer. In particular, the direction defined from the base 19 of the application element 17 of the zone Z points towards the first longitudinal peripheral edge 4, of which this applicator element 17 is adjacent.

Along the longitudinal axis X, a spacing 24 between the respective centers of the bases such as 19 of two successive consecutive application elements 17 of the second group 14 is for example of the order of 2 mm.

As is particularly visible from Figures 1, 2 and 4 , the application elements of the first group 13 are arranged between the rows 15 and 16 of the second group 14. In particular, they are defined in the portion of the support 2 delimited respectively by the rows 15 and 16 and straight portions respectively connecting the longitudinal ends of these rows 15 and 16

The first row of first group application elements 13 is elongated parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the support 2. It is for example adjacent and parallel to the second row 15 of elements of the second group 14. In particular, the first row 25 comprises at least three, and preferably eleven consecutive application elements, and in particular identical to each other and or regularly spaced from each other.

In addition, the first group 13 comprises a fourth and a fifth row respectively 26 and 27, the fourth row 26 being disposed between the first row 25 and the fifth row 27. The first, fourth and fifth rows are preferably oriented in parallel to the longitudinal axis X, the application elements of a row being for example offset along this longitudinal axis X relative to the application elements of the adjacent row. In particular, as can be seen in figure 5 , the elements of the first 25 and fifth row 27 are arranged vis-à-vis while the elements of the fourth row 26 are offset relative to these elements. They form baffles improving the coating of the lock of hair caught between these elements.

Preferably, the support 2 comprises a plane of symmetry passing through its longitudinal axis X and erect perpendicular to its face 3, so that this plane of symmetry also passes through the application elements of the fifth row 27, and such so that the first group 13 comprises a sixth row 28 symmetrical of the fourth row 26, and a seventh row 29 symmetrical of the first row 25, the third row 16 of elements of the second group 14 itself being the symmetrical of the second row 15 of the elements of the same second group 14 according to this same plane of symmetry.

In particular, an applicator element 30 of the first group 13 is of frustoconical shape so that its basal portion 31 is of circular section, for example of diameter between 1.7 mm and 2.2 mm depending on the row to which it belongs, and so that its free end 33 is rounded. Preferably, this application element 30, preferably like all the other elements of the first group 13, is erected perpendicularly to the face 3 so that its height measured along an axis parallel to the axis W is lower. at the height 21 measured along the same axis of the application elements such as 17 of the second group 14. For example, this application element 30 has a height of between 3.8 mm and 9 mm depending on the row to which it belongs. An angle 35 formed between a straight line 36 of the frustoconical outer periphery and this axis W is for example of the order of 3 °.

Furthermore, along the longitudinal axis X, a spacing 37 between the respective centers of the basal portions such as 31 of two application elements such as 30 successive of the first group 13 belonging to the same row is greater than the spacing 24, while not being an integer multiple of this spacing 24. It is in particular of the order of 4.92 mm. Preferably, the application elements of the first, fourth and fifth rows are spaced regularly from each other, all of the same spacing 37.

The application elements of the first, fourth and fifth rows have respective heights and respective diameters at their respective basal portions. In particular, Figure 6a , the application elements of the first row 25 are of average height 34 of the order of 6.4 mm and average diameter 32 of the order of 1.8 mm. Figure 6b , the application elements of the fourth row 26 are of average height 38 of the order of 3.8 mm and mean diameter 39 of the order of 1.7 mm. And Figure 6c , the application elements of the fifth row 27 are of average height 40 of the order of 9 mm and average diameter 41 of the order of 2.2 mm.

Application elements such as 17 of the second group 14 are structurally more flexible than the application elements such as the first group 13 even though they are made of the same material. In particular, the support 2 and the application elements that it carries can be molded in one piece of low density polyethylene so as to limit the cost of manufacturing a device according to the invention.

As is visible from the Figure 4 , the surface 42 passing through the free ends respectively 33 and 20 of the application elements of the first and second group 13 and 14 has two concavities on either side of the plane of symmetry passing through the fifth row 27. In particular, according to a cross section, this surface has a W-shaped section, the concavities extending longitudinally along the axis X of the support.

Finally, the device 1 comprises two rows 43 and 44 of elements such as those of the fifth row 27 arranged in arcs facing the short sides respectively 6 and 7 of the support. These rows 43 and 44 connect the rows 15 and 16 of elements of the second group 14 at their respective ends. They thus delimit, with the rows 15 and 16, the area of the face 3 of the support 2 where are mainly erected application elements of the first group 13, and where the product can be retained, when such a brush is immersed in a bowl of product to apply this product to a selected lock of hair.

According to alternative embodiments, presented Figures 11 to 13 at the second end 12, the handle 8 has a third group 200 of application elements. For example, this third group 200 has teeth and / or hair preferably for use on very short hair, for example at the temples, or in the context of retouching relative to a comprehensive treatment. In particular, application elements such as 201 of this third group 200 may be oriented along the longitudinal axis Y, as shown Figure 11 , or so as to form an angle with this Y axis as shown on the variants of Figures 12 and 13 .

For example, according to the Figure 12 , the application elements 201 of the third group 200 extend in a direction substantially opposite to that of the elements of the first 13 and second group 14. They are for example substantially erect perpendicular to a surface 202 of the second end 12 of the handle 8, this surface 202 forming an acute angle 203 with the axis Y for example of the order of 45 °. On the contrary, according to the variant represented Figure 13 , the application elements 201 of the third group 200 are oriented in a distinct direction but nevertheless substantially on the same side as the application elements of the first 13 and the second group 14. Figure 13 the surface 202 also forms an acute angle 204 with the axis Y, but this acute angle 204 is formed on one side of the handle 8 opposite the side of the handle with which the surface 202 forms the acute angle 203 within the scope of the embodiment of the Figure 12 .

In particular, the third group 200 comprises application elements 201 which can be arranged in one or more rows. The application elements 201 may all be identical to each other, or conversely these application elements may be tapered differently from each other, or have heights, flexibilities, or spacings between them different. In particular, this third group may be formed of configured application elements such as those of the first 13 and the second group 14.

According to a second embodiment, as taught in the document FR-A-2,828,999 , the support 2 according to the invention is not provided with a handle such as 8, but includes, as can be seen on the figure 7 , a container 100 on which the support 2 is adapted to be removably attached. The container 100 consists of a compressible body provided with a neck 101 in the upper part, such as an adapter portion 102 formed in the example described by an insert, can be fixed on the neck 101, and it -Even intended to receive support 2.

The container 100 may comprise one or more products, the container 100 being configurable to mix these products. It can also be in the form of a pressurized container.

Figure 8 , the adapter piece 102 has a covering skirt 103 intended to come in continuity with the wall of the container 100 and a skirt 104 for receiving an assembly skirt 105 protruding from the support 2. The skirt assembly 105 protrudes from a second side of the support 2 opposite the side having the face 3 from which stand the application elements of the first and the second group respectively 13 and 14.

The receiving skirt 104 is surmounted by a sealing skirt 106, intended to cooperate sealingly with a sealing skirt 107 provided in correspondence and protruding from the support 2. It can also be seen that the adapter piece 102 has a sealing lip 108 which is sealingly applied to the inner surface of the neck 101. This sealing lip 108 is connected to the inner surface of the receiving skirt 104.

The support 2 is for example snap-fastened to the receiving skirt 104, the adapter piece 102 being provided to snap onto the outer periphery of the neck 101.

The sealing skirt 106 defines a housing 109 whose bottom wall is extended below by a conduit 110 closed at its lower end and opening through a lateral opening 111 for ensuring fluid communication between the housing 109 and the container 100. For this purpose, the support 2 comprises at least one orifice 112, and according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. Figures 9 and 10 it has six orifices such as 112 regularly arranged so as to open with a regular spacing at the face 3.

These orifices 112 open into places and places of application element locations, in particular, to the places and places of some of the application elements of the fourth and sixth rows, the diameter and / or the number of orifices. being chosen according to the viscosity of the product to be applied. Where the orifices 112 are defined, there is no application element, the orifices not being made through these application elements.

A shutter 113 which is connected to the support 2 on the side opposite to the face 3, is in the form of a cylinder of revolution portion, open on an angular sector smaller than a semicircle. Depending on the positioning of the nozzle 2 on the adapter portion 102, in the dispensing position or in position shutter, the orifices such as 112 may or may not be placed in communication with the housing 109, and therefore with the contents of the container 10. In fact, the shutter 113 is provided to close the lateral opening 111 in the closed position, and leave it unobstructed in a dispensing position, as shown Figure 8 .

To treat the hair, the user can move the support 2 in the hair in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis X.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described, nor to the dimensions which are given for information and not limitation. Throughout the description, the phrase "having one" should be considered synonymous with "having at least one", unless the opposite is specified.

Claims (30)

1. Device (1) for applying a hair product comprising a support (2) on one face (3) of which there project application elements arranged in such a way that a first group (13) of application elements of a first row (25) is superposable, along a longitudinal axis (X) of the support, with a second group (14) of application elements of a second row (15), the said application elements of the first and of the second group running parallel to one and the same direction,
   characterized in that the application elements (17) of the second group have a mean flexibility greater than the mean flexibility of the application elements (30) of the first group,
   and in that the mean of the spacings (24) between application elements that make up the second group is less than the mean of the spacings (37) between application elements that make up the first group,
   and in that the application elements (17) of the second group have a mean height greater than a mean height of the application elements (30) of the first group.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one application element of the second row (15) is arranged near a peripheral edge (4, 5) of the face of the support.
3. Device according to either one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second row (15) is parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the support.
4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second row (15) stands at the periphery of the face of the support, along a longitudinal edge (4, 5) of this support.
5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a third row (16) of application elements such as those of the second group, the application elements of the first group (13) being arranged between the second (15) and the third (16) row which respectively longitudinally at least partially border these application elements of the first group, these rows being at least partially superposable along the longitudinal axis of the support.
6. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the third row (16) is parallel to at least one of the rows chosen from the first (25) or second (15) rows.
7. Device according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the application elements of the third row (16) are of constant height (21).
8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one application element (17) of the second group has a height (21) greater than the height (34) of the application elements (30) of the first group (13), for example is at least 4 mm taller than the application elements of this first group.
9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first group comprises application elements of at least two, and preferably three, different heights (34, 38, 40).
10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application elements of the first or the second row are of constant height.
11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application elements of the first group have a cross section (32, 39, 41) greater than that (19) of the application elements of the second group, particularly at the respective basal parts (31, 18) of these application elements.
12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one application element (17) of the second group is of triangular cross section.
13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one application element (30) of the first group is of ovoid, and preferably circular, cross section.
14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first group comprises application elements having at least two different cross sections (32, 39, 41).
15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one application element (17) of the second group is more tapered than the application elements (30) of the first group.
16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface (42) defined by the free ends (33, 20) of the application elements of the first and second groups has at least one concave region.
17. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free end (20) of an application element (17) of the second group is flat.
18. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the free end (33) of an application element (30) of the first group is rounded.
19. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application elements are teeth or bristles.
20. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application elements of the first and the second group are produced as a single piece at least with part of the support.
21. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is obtained by moulding a thermoplastic, particularly a polypropylene or polyethylene, preferably a low-density polyethylene with a Shore D hardness of between 40 and 80 inclusive.
22. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the face of the support is flat.
23. Device according to Claim 22, characterized in that the application elements of the first and of the second group run perpendicular to the face of the support.
24. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a handle (8) a first end (10) of which is secured to the said support.
25. Device according to Claim 23, characterized in that the handle has a longitudinal axis (Y) parallel to a longitudinal axis (X) of the support.
26. Device according to Claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the handle is cranked so as to exhibit a portion (9) for holding that extends in a plane different from that of the face of the support.
27. Device according to any one of Claims 23 to 25, characterized in that the handle comprises a third group of application elements at a second end which is the opposite end to the first end.
28. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support is mounted on a container (100) containing a hair product and equipped with at least one dispensing orifice (112) to produce fluidic communication between the said container and the face of the support, the dispensing orifice opening in particular in the middle of the application elements of the first group.
29. Device according to Claim 27, characterized in that the support is mounted so that it can turn or be removed relative to the container so that it can be fixed onto the container in a first position and in a second position different from the first, the container and the support being arranged in such a way that, in the first position, the said at least one dispensing orifice does not communicate (113) with the product contained in the container and in such a way that, in the second position, the said at least one dispensing orifice communicates with the product contained in the container.
30. Kit for applying hair product, particularly a colouring product, comprising:

    - a container for packaging the said product; and

    - a device according to any one of the preceding claims.

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